Oklahoma's site certification program assures a quality site available in minimal time not only provides site selectors with the information they need to make appropriate decisions, it also places this state in a position to maximize economic development opportunities.

Program Overview
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce, in partnership with PSO and OG&E launched Site Ready, Oklahoma's site certification program for new investment and retention of expanding industry in the State of Oklahoma.

Program Purpose
The purpose of Site Ready is to place Oklahoma in a position to further capitalize on economic development opportunities. With an inventory of sites that are certified for immediate investment and development, Oklahoma will proactively serve the needs of businesses.

A secondary objective of Site Ready is to prepare Oklahoma communities to accommodate new business prospect inquiries. By going through the application process, communities will have the opportunity to learn what the relevant needs for various projects are and how to strategically plan to address those needs.

Targeted Projects
Within Site Ready, there are eight general types of projects. An independent, third-party consultant has developed Generic Site Profiles, Project Profiles, and Project Musts and Wants for each of the following eight project types.

• Mega Park
• Aerospace Park
• Heavy Industrial Park
• Light Industrial Park
• Warehouse / Distribution Park
• Business Services Park
• Research and Development Park
• Rural Business / Commerce Park

Click on the parks above to review the profile that describes each of the projects and explains the framework of requirements and desirable characteristics for each of the project types. Based on its strategic objectives, the community or regional partnership will select the use that best fits its site with respect to the project profiles.

An independent, third-party consultant, in cooperation with Commerce, has developed a Community Tax Questionnaire. The questionnaire solicits information regarding the community's/site's qualifications for the program. The questionnaire address both general program issues and more specific project issues. Please see the flowchart that highlights the review process for the program requirements.

The independent, third-party consultant will evaluate the questionnaires submitted and determine which sites have the best potential to meet the program and project requirements. In order to be considered for the program, questionnaires must be completed and submitted to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce no later than April 5, 2010. Due to the large anticipated response, Commerce will not be able to accept partially completed questionnaires nor will Commerce be able to review documents that are not directly pertinent to the application. Pertinent documentation includes site-specific materials such as topographic maps, flood plain maps, aerial photos, etc., as requested in the questionnaires. All community information should be addressed in the format of the application itself.

Based on the results of questionnaire evaluations, the independent, third-party consultant, and Commerce will visit all qualified sites. The consultant will verify submitted data and evaluate site suitability for the respective project uses. Once the site visits have been completed, the independent, third-party consultant will provide a relative ranking of sites to Commerce.

Program Timetable

Please direct any questions or comments regarding the OK Site Certification Program to:

Jeremy Zeller
Program Manager
Office of Community Development
Oklahoma Department of Commerce
900 North Stiles Ave.
Oklahoma City, Ok 73104
Tel: 405-815-5214
Fax: 405-605-2807